JOB DESCRIPTION and PERSON SPECIFICATION

DATE: February 2017

POSITION: Head Teacher (full time)

SERVICE: Kidsfirst Kindergartens Trengrove

ADDRESS: 243 Clyde Road Burnside, Christchurch

PHONE NUMBER: 03 351 7874

CURRENT OPERATING ROLL: Full Day Kindergarten 8.30am -2.30pm Current roll 40/40

Description of and involvement in the community Kidsfirst Kindergarten Trengrove is a well-established kindergarten, situated close to shops, medical centre and schools in the Fendalton/Ilam/Bryndwr area. Family/whānau often stay to spend time in the kindergarten as they settle their tamariki, make connections and talk with staff. Whānau have strong aspirations for their tamariki to succeed as learners. The community is diverse with Maori and Asian learners, a range of cultures and family situations. The kindergarten contributes mainly to two schools within the area.

Curriculum Emphases . Competent and capable learners who are actively involved in decision making, problem solving and taking responsibility.

. A focus on care and respect for all

. A programme that acknowledges and reflects both the bicultural and multicultural community.

Programme Priorities . Developing a sense of belonging for children and whānau

. Promoting a calm, respectful, peaceful environment and programme

. Co-construction of learning

. Ensuring there is a commitment and respect for language, culture and identity across the programme and practices.

. Place based learning

. Internal Review focused on continuous improvement

. Professional network capabilities

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS

Curriculum and teaching requirements The successful applicant will be an intentional teacher who; . Demonstrates understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of Te Whāriki . Participates in ongoing and appropriate professional development that informs and is reflected in their practice . Participates in both child and teacher initiated, sustained shared teaching episodes to extend children’s thinking and value their contribution to the learning experience . Is committed to their own understanding as a Treaty partner as demonstrated through professional growth and practice . Has a commitment to and awareness of the principles of inclusion. This is evident in and integrated within their professional practice . Uses robust pedagogical documentation to support assessment, planning for learning and internal review.

Relationships with children The successful applicant will: . Value and respond to family/whānau aspirations for their children . Value and respond to the social and cultural worlds and ways of learning of all children . Provide feedback to children that acknowledges their effort and success . Be available to children so that they can revisit and share their learning with others

Community requirements The successful applicant will: . Have strong, responsive, reciprocal and respectful relationships with families, supporting children’s sense of belonging . Articulate and share the rationale for curriculum decisions with the kindergarten’s community of learners . Ensure transitions are supported by effective partnerships between family/whānau, the Kindergarten and schools . Promote and encourage active participation, involvement and decision-making by the kindergarten community in all aspects of the teaching and learning programme and Internal-review . Play an advocacy role to support the child and the family/whānau

Working as part of a teaching team The successful applicant will: . Have strong and effective pedagogical leadership around team dynamics, relationships and communication . Inspire teachers, build leadership capacity, and assist team members to set and attain professional goals . Seek and be responsive to professional feedback . Have strong collaborative relationships and professional communication with colleagues . Contribute to the team, providing an environment that reflects, and is responsive to the learners, whānau and wider learning community (people, places, and things, over time)

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS Personal Attributes that would best suit the needs of the centre:

. The ability to establish strong professional, reciprocal relationships with whānau, children and the wider learning community. The successful head teacher will need to have a proven record in this area

. The head teacher must have excellent verbal and written communication skills and be able to engage with a variety of audiences including professional network capabilities.

. The successful head teacher will need to be able to build and lead a collaborative teaching team across the whole kindergarten, so as to establish a shared vision to meet the learning needs of this unique community

. To motivate and inspire the team to provide a wise programme that ensures positive learning outcomes for all children.

. The successful applicant will have a strong understanding and the ability to lead Planning for Learning and Internal Review.

. To foster a sense of a community of learners with the local schools and other schools in the wider community.

. S/he will work in collaboration with the Education Service Manager and Head Office personnel . The head teacher will need to be enthusiastic about continuing learning for themselves and others and be innovative in their practice.

. The head teacher will be able to lead Internal-review process that critiques the current practices, gathers information and ideas from a broad range of sources and effects change that results in improved learning outcomes for children.

. The head teacher should have a proven record of successfully leading and inspiring a team through the use of effective communication strategies that encourages team cohesion and continuous improvement.

. As a head teacher the successful applicant will be critically reflective about current theories and innovative in his/her practice. S/he will have a breadth of knowledge and experience that includes children from 2 years to school entry.

. The head teacher will be a wise practitioner – open, responsive and reflective to new pedagogy.